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Southern California Edison's plan to operate the Unit 2 reactor of its San Onofre nuclear plant in California at a lower capacity won't pose significant accident risks, according to an initial ruling from Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., disagreed with the decision, saying an investigation should be completed before such restart plans are considered. The NRC will give the public 30 days to comment on the decision.

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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has made some scheduling changes about its decision on Southern California Edison's restart plan for the Unit 2 reactor of its San Onofre nuclear plant in California. The agency listed on its website that the tentative schedule for a ruling is "to be determined," which differs from an earlier mid-May time frame. "We are following the regulatory process, and SCE remains interested in bringing Unit 2 back online for peak high-use season to meet the reliability needs of our customers," SCE spokeswoman Jennifer Manfre said in response.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has yet to decide whether to hold a public hearing about Southern California Edison's proposal to restart the Unit 2 reactor of its San Onofre nuclear plant in California, NRC Chairwoman Allison Macfarlane said. The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board said Monday that the plan needs to undergo such a process. "We are trying to devise ways to explain to the public what is going on here," Macfarlane said.

Southern California Edison might not achieve its June 1 restart target for the Unit 2 reactor of its San Onofre nuclear plant in California, Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff said, citing the thorough review process needed for the complex issue. Under SCE's tentative plan, the plant's operating license would be amended to allow the unit to operate at a maximum capacity of 70%, which is expected to limit degradation of steam-generator tubing. SCE would also need to fulfill other NRC requirements before it is permitted to restart the unit.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has postponed its ruling on Southern California Edison's proposal to restart the Unit 2 reactor at its San Onofre nuclear plant in California. The agency sought to decide on the plan in late April, but the ruling will be delayed until May or June to give staff more time to assess technical data, NRC spokesman Victor Dricks said.

Southern California Edison's San Onofre nuclear plant in California will not produce power until next year at the earliest under the company's proposed plan, Nuclear Regulatory Agency officials said at a meeting Tuesday in California. The company proposes to restart its Unit 2 reactor and operate at 70% power for a five-month trial period. Restarting the facility will ultimately benefit consumers, SCE officials said.